Sister Luella Theresa Walsh

Sister Luella Walsh 

Sister Luella (Cyrilla) Walsh passed away on Sunday, Jan. 5, 2025, the Feast of Epiphany, in Rio Grande City, at the age of 97. 

She was born on Nov. 13, 1927, in Greenbush, Minnesota, the second of 11 children of James Patrick Walsh and Helen Theresa (Witzman) Walsh. Her parents named her Luella Theresa Walsh at her baptism. 

She attended Rural School, District #18 in Badger, Minnesota for her elementary education. She went on to graduate from Badger High School. Sister Luella’s family supported her desire to become a sister. Her mother’s oldest sister was a member of the Sisters of St. Benedict in St. Joseph, Minnesota, and her mother prayed that one of her daughters would become a sister. Luella entered Mount St. Benedict Monastery on Jan. 6, 1945. When Luella became a novice on July 11, 1945, she received the name Sister Cyrilla. She made her first profession on July 11, 1946, and her final profession on July 16, 1949. She later resumed her baptismal name and was known as Sister Luella. 

Sister Luella received a bachelor’s degree in elementary education from the College of St. Catherine, in St. Paul, Minnesota, a master’s certificate in religious education from the College of St. Scholastica in Duluth, Minnesota, Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) at Valley Baptist Hospital, in Harlingen, and Certification with National Association of Catholic Chaplains (NACC). 

Sister Luella’s ministry took some twists and turn. From 1946‐1971, she taught elementary school classes in many Catholic schools in Minnesota: St. Michael’s in Mahnomen, Cathedral in Crookston, St. Francis in Moorhead, St. Bernard’s in Thief River Falls, St. Joseph’s in Rosen, Holy Rosary in Detroit Lakes, St. Joseph’s in Red Lake Falls, and Assumption in Barnesville. She then turned her attention to teaching in public schools: Asherton Independent School in Asherton, Texas and public schools of Harlingen. 

Sister Luella made a major change in ministry when she began clinical pastoral education in Harlingen and Weslaco. In 1987 she began serving as a hospital chaplain at Knapp Hospital in Weslaco. 

From 1989 to 1994, she worked with the Joachim and Ann (Elderly Program) in Escobares, at Sacred Heart Church. Beginning in 1995, Sister Luella and Sisters Nancy Boushey and Fran Solum petitioned the Crookston Benedictines to establish the Good Shepherd Monastery near Rio Grande City. Shortly afterward, the sisters decided to quit their jobs and devote their entire lives to full-time monastic life. Sister Luella’s ministry included the director of Oblates, hospitality provider for retreats, and sacristan. 

Sister Luella was preceded in death by her parents and her siblings Mary Munsrud, Sarah Johnson, Pauline (Polly) Shafer, Charles Walsh (deceased at 6 weeks), Jim Walsh, Allen Walsh, George Walsh. She is survived by siblings, Jeanette Eklund, Leonard Walsh, many nieces and nephews, and the Sisters of St. Benedict of Crookston and Good Shepherd Monastery in Starr County, TX! 

Outstanding traits of Sister Luella were that of her great love for the Benedictine way of life, presence at all prayer times and also her love for people as expressed in her warm hospitality! 

Funeral arrangements are pending with Sanchez Funeral Home of Rio Grande City.

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 ADDITIONAL:

 Luella Theresa Walsh was born November 13, 1927, in Greenbush MN to James and Helen (Witzman) Walsh. Shortly after her birth the family moved to their family farm, near Badger, she was 2nd of 11 Children. Luella was Baptized at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Greenbush and Confirmed at St. Mary’s in Badger, MN. She attended Rural School District #18, country school through 8th grade then attended (town) school in Badger through 11th grade, her senior year of high school and Graduation was at Mount Saint Benedicts in Crookston, MN. Life growing up was difficult like many in the small farming community. But God was there with them, providing warmth, home grown and cooked meals, home sewn clothes, love and nurturing their souls. The 2 eldest girls were designated helpers. Luella was her mother’s helper and her sister Sarah was her father’s helper. Everyone had their own chores to do, taking care of animals, milking cows, hauling water, cleaning house and dishes. Their home was heated with wood, the water was brought in from an outdoor well house, the toilets were outdoors, Lights were provided by Gas Lanters. Walking to their 1 room country school 2 miles, with 2 sisters and 2 Brothers could be a blustery challenge with -20-30-degree Below temps. A Blizzard could drop snow as tall as the Telephone poles. But God was there with them keeping them safe and guiding the family. Several shared a bed, it helped keep warm in the cold winter, when a glass of water on the dresser may be frozen by morning. There were family reunions and special occasions, summer was time to grow crops, large gardens and hay, of course there was time for fun in the swimming hole & Hay Loft in the summer. Barn dances were popular for folks of all ages. 

 This (petite)small but mighty young, spirted gal named Luella, was sent to Mount Saint Benedicts buy her loving parents in her Senior year. It was there where Luella started to have an interest in living her life as a “religious sister” or Nun. She thought she could live a life like this. God was there. Her parents were supportive and honored to have her lead a life of service to the Lord and they provided written consent for Luella to follow her dreams. In fact, her mother had prayed for the children and asked for them to be led to serve God. 

While living at Mount St. Benedicts in MN. Sister Luella and other Sisters took care of the children of Hispanic Migrant workers from Texas that came to work in the farm fields during the Minnesota summers. They learned there was a Catholic Schools in TX that was facing closure in need of sisters to teach. The Sisters felt a calling to go help them. They taught at the catholic school which was eventually closed. Then she taught in public schools and eventually went on to be a Chaplin. 

She is Preceded in death by Parents James Patrick and Helen Theresa, siblings, Charles (infant) (Feb. 15, 1945) Sarah (Jan4,2015), Mary (July 10, 2007), James (Feb. 13,2013), Allan (Nov.24,2016), George (Aug 12, 2015), Pauline (Polly Ann) (Jan 3, 2016), Helen (Sept 19,2021) 1 Nephew Warren Monsrud, Several Brother & Sister-in-Laws, Aunts, Uncles and other relatives. 

Survived by 1 Sister Jeanette Eklund from Alexandria, MN, 1 brother Leonard (Ellen) Walsh of Oregon and 1 Sister-in-law Delores of Badger, MN, Many Nieces and Nephews and other relatives.